Pegasus-class PHM hydrofoil

The Pegasus-class hydrofoils were a series of fast attack patrol boats employed by the U.S. Navy. They were in service from 1977 through 1993. These hydrofoils carried the designation "PHM" for "Patrol, Hydrofoil, Missile." The Pegasus class vessels were primarily intended for green water coastal operations, such as narcotics interdiction and coastal patrol.

Admiral Elmo Zumwalt began the PHM project to increase the Navy's number of surface vessels in a cost-effective manner. The project was to involve four other navies—the Royal Navy, Canadian Forces, the Bundesmarine, and the Marina Militare, for as many as 100 craft.

After Zumwalt's retirement, the Navy chose to funnel most of the money for the PHMs into larger vessels. This delayed the ongoing construction of Pegasus, and the other vessels were not started. Congress eventually forced the Navy to complete the vessels. The difficulties in project progression forced the other involved navies to abort their participation.

The Pegasus class ships were powered by two 1,600 horsepower (1,200 kW) Mercedes-Benz diesels when waterborne, giving them a speed of 12 knots. When foilborne, the ships were powered by a General Electric LM2500 gas turbine, giving them a speed of 48 knots.

Pegasus ships were well armed for their size, carrying two four-rack RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles and an Oto Melara 76 mm gun. The Harpoons, specifically, were capable of sinking far larger ships at distances in excess of 60 nautical miles (110 km). The German version would have carried the MM38 Exocet.

As Pegasus was constructed several years before the rest of the series, there are some slight differences, such as the fire-control system.

All six vessels were constructed by Boeing, in Seattle at the Renton plant at the south end of Lake Washington. They were stationed at NAS Key West.

The technology was first pioneered by the USS Tucumcari (PGH-2) which was tried in Vietnam, but ran aground. It was judged to be more advanced than the Grumman Flagstaff which was built at the same time to the same requirements. The primary technology, also used in the Boeing Jetfoil ferries, used submerged flying foils with waterjet propulsion.

The ships were retired because they were not judged cost effective for their mission in a Navy with primarily offensive missions rather than coastal patrol.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Pegasus-class
• PHM
• hydrofoil
• US
• Navy
• harpoon
• missiles
• patrol
• boats
• Admiral
• Elmo
• Zumwalt
• NAS
• Key
• West

[biukucanoe]

man where do you find this stuff? I saw these being built in Renton during Boeing open house. All of them were !@#$% scrapped. Based on Tucumcari like the hydro-ferries that are still running today. Boeing doesn't make hydrofoils anymore.

[jaglavaksoldier]

I recorded this program back in 1992...I believe.

[TheFleetSailor]

I was the last CICO on the Pegasus, best crew and ship in the fleet. Interesting footnote Pegasus was the only glass bottom combatant in the Navy, Yup they left two port holes in the hull just behind the tow rear struts. They had been used to film water flow during early testing. Someone made a sign "In case of fire, break glass" LOL Thanks for the great vid

[navysnipe]

I was actually CHENG onboard GEMINI when this video was taken (1985). What a great ship. I actually had orders back to Key West as XO of Pegasus when it was announced they were being decommissioned (in 1992). Serving on PHM's was the greatest duty in the Navy!

[vulpixgrant]

Thanks so much for posting this. I used to love the game Battlestations on the original Playstation. These ships are on the game and I never knew what class of ship they were based on.

[centurion180ad]

So we threw away these Man 'O War, and replaced them with no-bid contract cabin cruisers for free corporation profits at taxpayer (read: slaves) expense.

[StarkRavingBrad17]

i have all 6 in 1/700th scale. cool little boats, and packing a lot of punch for their size.

[ALB437]

As far as I can see from Wikipedia the "Pegasus Class" (1977-1993) was not equipped with sonars. Was this due to the fact that the ships were not cruising in deep waters or simply a task left over to others vessels? Would it today make more sense to have this sort of equipment, as small 1$ million subs are coming in from S.America? Seems to be the same for the Cyclone class.

[shaider1982]

@TheFleetSailor Cool!

[CocteauDalighari]

@jaglavaksoldier Probably run on the History Channel: the narrator was Monte Markham, an actor turned producer who made a whole series of programs on warships.

I remember seeing the Pegasus in Little Creek back in the mid-80s. I was shocked when I found out these PHMs'd all been decommissioned: obviously the Navy knuckleheads in charge were clueless about their efficacy.

[ravens0904]

Saw one of these in San Diego Bay back in the mid 70's when I was stationed at Ballast point on a fast attack sub. When this hydrofoils opened up, it was awesome to watch. Thing of beauty..

[BlackTiger112]

HYDROFOIL, RED ALERT 3!

[Nannu65]

Silakoitako ootta mettästämäs siltä tuo kippo näyttää :P

[rvell7829]

Great shots of a terrific ship. If you want to see more Navy hydrofoils, search in Youtube for:

HYDROFOILS--U.S. NAVY'S AWESOME TALE